Thursday News, October 4

Strong Winds Fan Flames of Grass Fires

(Le Mars) -- Those strong winds of Wednesday helped fan the flames on three separate grass fires located within Plymouth County. The Hinton Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of 280th Street and Lake Avenue. The call came in at 3:15 p.m. and fire fighters were on the scene for about an hour and a half. Fire officials were called back to the scene as the fire flared up a second time. Hinton fire officials were there for another hour. The Le Mars Fire Department was called to battle a grass fire at Highway 60. That call sounded at about 6:20 p.m. Le Mars Fire officials were able to get that grass fire under control within a half hour. The Akron Fire Department also had a grass fire alarm. Akron responded to the fire located at 33287 West Loop. The fire was reported at about 7:05 p.m. and fire officials were on the scene for about an hour and a half.

Sioux City Police Arrest Owner of Abandoned Cats

(Sioux City) -- Sioux City Police have located the owner of that home that had more than 50 abandon cats. On Wednesday, officers arrested 56 year old Mark Lanning of Sioux City. Lanning was charged with 14 counts of animal neglect.

Jaimes-Martinez Charged With First Degree Murder

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a woman during a neighborhood fight in Sioux City. Thirty-three-year-old Fernando Jaimes-Martinez is accused of firing a gun into a crowd and killing 27-year-old Karla Gonzalez on Sept. 22. Prosecutors filed trial information on Tuesday, which includes the murder charge and three other charges. Police say there was a large fight outside Jaimes-Martinez's house. He allegedly fired a gun into a group of adults and children retreating from the house. Gonzales was hit in the head. Police haven't said what caused the fight.

Harvest Nearing Completion, But There Are Some Concerns

(Le Mars) -- Harvest is nearing completion, especially for northwest Iowa farmers, but Iowa State University Extension crop specialist Joel DeJong says there are still some concerns.

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DeJong says we are still in a drought and the window of opportunity to recharge our soil moisture levels is closing. He says if we get snow before the ground freezes, then our soils will benefit. However, if it happens to freeze and then we get snow, that moisture will just run off. DeJong says it would be best if we could get some autumn rains.

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DeJong says there has been a wide variation with yields just within Plymouth County.

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DeJong says test weights of crops have been fairly decent for this drought-stricken harvest.

Le Mars High School Students Support Soldiers

(Le Mars) -- Supporting Siouxland Soldiers is the current mission of the Le Mars Community High School Student Council. Senior Carolyn Ahlers serves as the current president of the Council. She says this is the second year the school has participated in this event.

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Last year Carolyn said that the school contributed the largest private donation that the organization has ever received, and this year their goal is to double what the gave last year. Students are being encouraged to participate, but the community help is going to be key in order to reach their loftly collection goal. Supplies that are needed range from beef jerky to single servings of crackers and baby powder to deodorant. A full list can be found on our website, klem1410.com. Monetary funds are also being accepted and can be given by calling the High School Office. Drop off boxes for items are in the office, and will also be out at Thursday nights home volleyball game and Friday nights home football game.Carolyn Ahlers says that it's an honor to collect and pack supplies for Siouxland Soldiers.

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Minnesota Helps Iowa To Control Carp

MILFORD, Iowa (AP) - Minnesota has decided to help finance Iowa efforts to keep invasive carp out of the Iowa Great Lakes. The Minnesota Natural Resources Department is providing $261,000 to help Iowa set up an electrical barrier atop Lower Gar Lake dam. The dam has an outlet to Mill Creek, which runs into the Little Sioux River. The river watershed includes several southwest Minnesota Lakes. A temporary fence had been erected on an outlet at Lower Gar Lake to keep out the silver carp. The carp reproduce quickly and consume large quantities of food. Experts fear the carp could crowd out native species and create ecological problems for Iowa's chain of glacial lakes. The silver carp have been known to leap into skiers and boats.

Anderson-Erickson Dairy and Workers Agree To Contract Terms

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Union workers and Anderson Erickson Dairy have reached a tentative contract agreement. The company and Teamsters Union Local 120 made their deal on Wednesday night. The Des Moines workers had gone on strike Sept. 24 but returned to work the next day after both sides agreed to resume talks. The company contract offer rejected Sept. 23 would have required workers to accept a pay freeze and to pay significantly more for health care insurance. Details on Wednesday night's agreement havenot been publicly disclosed. The most recent four-year contract between the company and the 300 Teamster members expired in March. While the workers were on strike, Dean Foods of Le Mars helped supply milk to many of Anderson Erickson's customers, particularly to schools.

Upper Iowa College President On Leave

FAYETTE, Iowa (AP) - Officials say the president of Upper Iowa University in Fayette is on leave but they won't explain why. School spokeswoman Monica Heaton told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (http://bit.ly/PvrpSI ) that Alan Walker is on a leave of absence, but she wouldn't say whether the leave was scheduled orunexpected. College board of trustees chairman Robert Firth says Walker is still an employee of the university. Firth wouldn't say whether Walker would return after his leave ends and he wouldn't say whowould lead the school during Walker's absence.